Indiana Governor Mike Pence, left, addresses a group of business leaders and employees from Drew Industries, parent company of Lippert Components, prior to a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the company's decision to move its headquarters to Elkhart. Lippert Components CEO Jason Lippert is seen at right.
(Truth Photo By Jennifer Shephard)
(AP)Lippert Components CEO Jason Lippert, front, makes opening remarks prior to Indiana Governor Mike Pence, back center, addressing a group of business leaders and employees Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013. Drew Industries, parent company of Lippert Components, held a ribbon cutting ceremony after the governor's remarks noting the company's headquarters move to Elkhart.
(Truth Photo By Jennifer Shephard)
(AP)Indiana Governor Mike Pence, center, addresses a group of business leaders and employees from Drew Industries, parent company of Lippert Components, prior to a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the company's decision to move its headquarters to Elkhart. Lippert Components CEO Jason Lippert is seen at right and Elkhart Mayor Dick Moore is at left.
(Truth Photo By Jennifer Shephard)
(AP)Indiana Governor Mike Pence, center, addresses a group of business leaders and employees from Drew Industries, parent company of Lippert Components, prior to a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the company's decision to move its headquarters to Elkhart. Lippert Components CEO Jason Lippert is seen at right.
(Truth Photo By Jennifer Shephard)
(AP)Indiana Governor Mike Pence, center, addresses a group of business leaders and employees from Drew Industries, parent company of Lippert Components, prior to a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the company's decision to move its headquarters to Elkhart.
(Truth Photo By Jennifer Shephard)
(AP)Lippert Components CEO Jason Lippert smiles as Indiana Governor Mike Pence addresses a group of business leaders and employees Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013. Drew Industries, parent company of Lippert Components, held a ribbon cutting ceremony after the governor's remarks noting the company's headquarters move to Elkhart.
(Truth Photo By Jennifer Shephard)
(AP)Indiana Governor Mike Pence, facing camera, asks Lippert Components CEO Jason Lipperts' daughter if she is proud of her father following a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new headquarters in Elkhart Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013. Jason Lippert is seen at left. Drew Industries is the parent company of Lippert Components.
(Truth Photo By Jennifer Shephard)
(AP)

ELKHART — Indiana Gov. Mike Pence joined Drew Industries executives at the company’s recently moved headquarters to mark the move.

“This is a great day,” Pence said. “It is wonderful to be in the third-fastest growing county in the United States, Elkhart County, Ind.”

He called the move of Drew’s headquarters from New York to Elkhart “a real success for Elkhart County, and this is a success for the state of Indiana.”

Drew Industries, parent company of Lippert Components, Inc., and Kinro, is a major supplier to the recreational vehicle industry.

The company announced plans in April to invest $12.75 million to renovate four facilities in Elkhart and Goshen, two months after it announced plans to move its headquarters here from White Plains, N.Y.

The company continues to expand manufacturing operations in Goshen and Elkhart, with plans to add up to 800 new jobs by 2017.

Lippert and Kinro employ about 4,200 people in Elkhart County and another 225 in Indiana outside the county.

Drew billed its move to Elkhart County as cost effective and something that will provide closer collaboration between Drew’s management team and executives across the RV and manufactured-housing industries, both heavily located here.

Pence said, “the RV market is coming back stronger than ever and it’s going to be centered here in the state of Indiana for generations to come.”

Jason Lippert, Drew CEO and third-generation company leader, said the move is “a symbol of how far we’ve all come together.”

He said Elkhart Mayor Dick Moore and Goshen Mayor Allan Kauffman have been supportive, and Lippert said, “I want to thank our great customers, because without them we wouldn’t be where we are today.” He detailed the company’s growth and said, “We are the largest supplier in the RV business.”

Moore said to Drew’s gathered leaders and employees, “you have become one of our largest employers,” and credited them for their economic impact.

Jim McKee, president of the Goshen city council, said, “We’re fortunate because in Goshen and Elkhart, the train has arrived,” and said Drew’s companies have “been a significant asset to our community.”